As the anniversary of Sept. 11 approaches, it may serve as a reminder for students and faculty to attend one of CSUN’s monthly CPR and first aid classes offered by the Union Program Council and the University Student Union. The class was held Saturday, costs $25 and was taught by Benjamin Elisondo Jr,, the manager of operations safety training in the Physical Plant Management department. It is available to all CSUN students who wish to become CPR certified or who want to learn first aid techniques that could be invaluable in both everyday situations and large-scale emergencies.

The CPR classes are held in the Flintridge room near the Fitness Center in the USU on a Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and include lunch. They involve training on both adult and infant CPR with extensive hands-on mannequin work on both. The class also includes pamphlets, a video and lecture. From 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., students can choose to stay for an additional lesson in first aid.

‘Today, most of the students who attend this class work in the Fitness Center and some of them are here for classes,’ said Patricia Landrito, a CSUN student and the event organizer. In order for students to work at the Fitness Center, they must be CPR certified, and some majors, such as kinesiology, have a requirement for the class as well.

Rachel Fernandez, a 22-year-old kinesiology major, will be applying for a job as an athletic coach at either an elementary, middle or high school and decided to take this class before submitting her applications. Others like Joanna Bush, a Resident Advisor and a sophomore majoring in music therapy, are doing this both for their employment and their own peace of mind.

‘The clases are very thorough. I really enjoy them. There’s been a lot of very good information,’ says Bush.

Elisondo says he enjoys working with college students.

‘They’re energetic, giving, they really understand what’s going on, and that dynamic energy is great to work around,’ he says. Elisondo has been training faculty and students for 15 years, beginning with students and faculty in the Physical Plant Management department, then working his way to offering classes to all CSUN students required or interested in certification.

Two more classes will be held through the semester on Oct. 18 and Nov. 8. For more on how to register or if you have further questions, call (818) 677-3690.